Duke MMS Student Blog » Tim Patronhttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms
Fuqua MMS student perspectiveTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:33:05 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1From the Court to the Classroom: The “Fist” Team Analogyhttps://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/02/14/patron/from-the-court-to-the-classroom-the-fist-team-analogy/?category=about-mms
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/02/14/patron/from-the-court-to-the-classroom-the-fist-team-analogy/?category=about-mms#commentsFri, 14 Feb 2014 13:35:15 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/?p=4437If you ask me, North Carolina is home to the best college basketball in the world. I grew up on the folklore of Tobacco Road, and for those unfamiliar with North Carolina, Tobacco Road is not so much a geographical location as it is a basketball asylum — the one place in the South where the hardwood sport, basketball, reigns supreme. It is the home of historic programs at Duke, North Carolina, N.C. State, and Wake Forest; of legendary coaches such as Dean Smith, Jim Valvano, and Mike Krzyzewski; of unforgettable players from David Thompson to Christian Laettner to Tim Duncan to Michael Jordan. Basketball is more than just a game in this state. It’s a metaphor for life — how to lead, how to succeed, and how to be a part of a team.

Team Changeover

MMS students learn valuable principles of teamwork from the Duke basketball coaching staff.

No one personifies the culture of Tobacco Road better than Duke basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski. That is why every year, MMS: FOB students are given an opportunity to participate in a Duke basketball mini-camp as part of the MMS Team Changeover. Students are assigned to teams at the beginning of the MMS program and then are reassigned to new teams at the beginning of Fall Term 2. This “Team Changeover” is bittersweet. Over the course of the first two terms, your teammates become your extended family and it is difficult to say goodbye. At the same time, you gain a new team and section, offering an opportunity to work with 4 – 5 different classmates. Teams are created to complete assignments, study, network, and socialize. It’s a critical component of Team Fuqua.

The Team Changeover not only allows new team members to bond on the court and experience the tradition of Duke basketball, but also teaches valuable principles that can be carried from the basketball court into the classroom and out into the real world. As I left the camp, I reflected little on perfecting my jump shot, but instead on Coach K’s analogy of the “fist” and his 5 principles of teamwork.

The “Fist”

Coach K uses the analogy of a “fist” to explain effective teamwork. Each finger represents a member of the team. To make the greatest impact, each member of the team must come together like a fist, unified in mind and body. If goals are not aligned, teamwork fails and so does the ability to achieve your objective. It’s analogous to extending a single finger as you strike a brick wall. The result is a broken finger and a shot to your ego.

Teams learn the value of collective responsibility during defense drills at the Duke Basketball Experience.

Coach Krzyzewski emphasizes 5 words for his teams: communication, trust, collective responsibility, care, and pride. The emphasis is on the power of these words and combining them in a manner that creates unity, which in turn creates victory.

Communication: Effective leaders are effective communicators. On the court, we communicated with our teammates when we released a pass to alert our teammate to catch the incoming pass.

Trust: Trust is a critical component of an effective team. Without trust, teams can fall into the trap of one person micromanaging the entire operation, thus reducing the overall synergy of the group. During basketball shooting drills, we had to trust our teammates and ourselves to make enough shots to meet our goal. Fortunately, my team met the goal and we didn’t have to do pushups.

Care: In the classroom, caring means giving your best effort on every assignment to optimize the likelihood of receiving a top mark. On the court, it means taking care of the basketball and minimizing turnovers.

Collective Responsibility: Every member of a team is accountable for the desired outcome. Therefore, it is imperative that each member is encouraged and supported to put forth his or her best effort. Just as collective gains should be praised, effective teams support each member’s individual interests and accomplishments. On the court, Coach K emphasizes team defense. During our defensive drills, each team was encouraged to smack the floor and shout “I love defense!” before each set.

Pride: Take pride in your team’s successes. Own your MMS: FOB experience. Celebrate both the big and little wins. Always provide an environment of encouragement and support for your teammates.

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/02/14/patron/from-the-court-to-the-classroom-the-fist-team-analogy/?category=about-mms/feed025 Random Things: Are You the Next Piece of the Puzzle?https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/01/09/patron/25-random-things-are-you-the-next-piece-of-the-puzzle/?category=about-mms
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/01/09/patron/25-random-things-are-you-the-next-piece-of-the-puzzle/?category=about-mms#commentsThu, 09 Jan 2014 22:05:03 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/?p=4344In my last post, I talked about Team Fuqua. Team Fuqua is what it is because of its people. Each person admitted into one of the MMS programs is an irreplaceable piece of the Team Fuqua puzzle. As applications begin to flood into the admissions office, the admissions committee is tasked with piecing together the puzzle for next year’s class. If my class is any indication, each student is carefully chosen, and brings a unique story and perspective to the program.

Are you the next piece of the puzzle?

This year’s MMS application (for both MMS: FOB and MMS: DKU programs) asks prospective students to provide a list of 25 random things to help the admissions committee to get to know you better (read more about it in this blog post from Cathy Johnson, Assistant Director of Admissions). This essay provides an opportunity to share a wide range of interests and insight into who you really are. So keeping that in mind, have FUN with it! What makes you different, unique, and interesting to be around? Consider this a personal, longer version of the David Letterman Show’s humorous top 10 lists.

Inspired by the new essay prompt, I compiled a list of 15 random things about myself, but be sure to write 25 for your own application essay. I hope this helps you to structure your response as you prepare your application.

I want to fly jets and Blackhawk helicopters! I am currently working towards the pilot licenses and certifications needed to do so.

I co-produced a documentary film which won entry into Durham’s Full Frame Film Festival. As a result, I was able to spend the weekend watching some of the world’s most entertaining documentary films, free of charge.

I won 10 intramural competitions in undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Heels!) including underwater hockey, poker, NCAA basketball bracket selection, and soccer.

I can’t whistle. For that matter, I can’t do anything that would qualify as a “superhuman” trick.

I still have 2 baby teeth. According to the dentist, I’m stuck with them for life.

I have an extra bone in my foot. My X-rays have been the subject of several anthropological studies. I am a freak of nature.

I am a published poet. I also like to freestyle rap, but don’t ask me to battle. I can’t handle the pressure.

My last name, Patron, is pronounced Pay-tron, as in Patron Saint. It is not pronounced Pa-trone, as in the tequila, unless, of course, we are hanging out at the local bar.

I swam with dolphins in the Bahamas. I also grabbed a few lobsters. They are quicker than they look!

Malcolm Gladwell is my favorite author. His style combines studies and stories to explain how the world works. I like that he has made social science cool for water cooler chatter. His books are perfect conversation starters. Start chatting with me and it won’t be long before Mr. Gladwell shows up. As a student-journalist, Gladwell is the kind of storyteller I hope to emulate.

I come from a lineage of French royalty. My great grandfather was a Duke of France. I’m not sure what that makes me.

I don’t think NASCAR is a sport. It is simply glorified speeding. Sorry Jimmie Johnson!

Yosemite National Park is my favorite vacation spot in the United States. I have been there 5 times. Every time I visit, I find something new to admire, from secret hiking trails and fishing spots to the diverse wildlife and majestic rock faces. It’s the great outdoors at its finest.

I participated in a Shamu show at SeaWorld. Having watched the recent CNN documentary film, Blackfish, I guess I’m lucky to be alive.

If I could have lunch with any 5 people dead or alive, I would invite Leonardo da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Jesus Christ, Thomas Edison, and William Shakespeare. Each man changed the way we think about the world, life, and humanity. In the event that one of these men could not make it (I’m sure they’re busy guys), I would invite basketball great and fellow Tar Heel, Michael Jordan.

I wish you the best as you complete your application. Remember to be yourself. You may just be the missing piece of the MMS puzzle!

]]>https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2014/01/09/patron/25-random-things-are-you-the-next-piece-of-the-puzzle/?category=about-mms/feed0What is Team Fuqua?https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2013/09/23/patron/what-is-team-fuqua/?category=about-mms
https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/2013/09/23/patron/what-is-team-fuqua/?category=about-mms#commentsMon, 23 Sep 2013 15:15:57 +0000http://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mms/?p=3977From day one of the MMS: Foundations of Business program, I was sold on Team Fuqua. You can feel it the moment you step on campus. Every student is here for the same reason — to leave a legacy and make an impact.

When I decided to matriculate, I based my decision on the educational value of the program and a shot at breaking into management consulting or marketing. What I did not expect was to make such strong friendships with my classmates. As I met more and more students, it became clear to me why each person was selected for the program. With almost 40 percent of the class comprising of international students, Fuqua blends students of all different backgrounds and cultures. Diversity of thought makes Fuqua unique.

Peer Collaboration

In the classroom, this translates into a collaborative rather than competitive environment. For example, because I studied journalism in undergrad, accounting was a novel subject for me. I needed help to keep up with the pace and rigor of the course. I regularly attended the review sessions for the course to confirm my understanding of the material. However, the review sessions on their own were not enough. I needed additional help to succeed.

Thankfully, whenever I sought out additional help, there was always a bounty of students willing to lend a helping hand. Some of my classmates even led group review sessions. In preparation for the final exam, my classmates led a daylong accounting crash-course review session. This session adequately prepared me for the final. I was able to improve my score from the midterm by about 10 points.

Work Hard & Play Hard

Collaboration does not end when we exit the classroom. The same Team Fuqua mentality translates to the job search process — as we started to apply for jobs and prepared our resumes and CVs, several friends were more than happy to look over my materials and make suggestions. For students interested in preparing for industry-specific interviews, we frequently hold weekly mock case interview sessions. These are facilitated both by student clubs and individual students. I find lots of people are willing to show up and help their classmates. We even had some MBAs volunteer their time to practice with us. With everyone helping each other out, we all benefit. This is the essence of Team Fuqua.

Finally, I would be negligent if I failed to comment on the social side of Team Fuqua. To be honest, making friends was low on my priority list for attending this program, but it’s made the experience really enjoyable. Whether it’s playing soccer, watching a Durham Bulls game, or participating in Campout (a 36-hour event where students “campout” in a parking lot for a chance to win Duke men’s basketball season tickets), it’s always easy to find MMSers who want to join in on the fun.

Team Fuqua is a work-hard, play-hard culture. MMSers take their studies seriously, but we’re probably the most fun and gregarious group of graduate students at Duke. This facet of the program is of vital importance. In 10 months, when I reflect back on the year, the things that I’ll miss most about Fuqua will likely not be my coursework, the guest lectures, or the job search, but instead my classmates and the MMS faculty and staff that care so much about me and my future.